Major contracts awarded for fast broadband rollouts
CityFibre has awarded its first major contracts under the government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit initiative which will provide fast and reliable broadband infrastructure to 715,000 rural properties across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Hampshire. The move will connect areas otherwise excluded from commercial rollouts and is seen as a key part of the government’s ‘levelling-up’ initiative. Contracts have been let in Cambs to Granemore Group; in Norfolk to OCU Group; in Suffolk to Telelink, OCU Group, and Granemore Group and in Hampshire to OCU Group and CCN Communications. Construction work is set to start in each location, with the first homes in Cambs expected to be connected next month. The four Project Gigabit contracts are supported by £387 million in government subsidies and an additional £223 million private investment from CityFibre, which is the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform. All the rollouts will involve the latest full fibre technology, XGS-PON, which provides 2.5Gbps speeds today, 35x faster than the UK average, is capable of up to 10Gbps in the future. Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “With the legacy copper networks in these areas soon to be made obsolete, we look forward to providing all internet service providers a powerful new network from which to better serve their customers.”
Resilient Ipswich office market shows signs of growth
Ipswich’s office market is showing resilience and growth, according to Fenn Wright after the property agent leased 30,000 sq ft of office space across five deals in the town during August. Transactions involving Crown House, IP-City Centre, Fox’s Marina, and Franciscan House, highlighting the local market’s robustness and high demand. Franciscan House’s final floor, covering 7,250 sq ft, was let to a global financial services firm. Hamish Stone, associate partner at Fenn Wright, said: “While the pandemic undoubtedly shifted paradigms in the business world, it’s important to recognise that the need for physical office space certainly hasn’t disappeared. We’ve noticed a growing preference for flexible leasing terms, with the emphasis on the very best quality accommodation to help with recruitment, retention, productivity and encouraging employees back to the office.” He added: “These transactions signal a shift in how businesses perceive office spaces, and it’s showing no signs of declining.” Meanwhile, a significant out-of-town letting of an Ipswich office to a global enterprise is anticipated.
Photo: The reception at Fransican House
Government starts Sizewell C equity raising rocess
The government has started the pre-qualification for potential investors in the Sizewell C nuclear project in Suffolk. It follows an agreement with co-shareholder EDF, signaling the initial phase of an equity raising process. Investment is sought from those with wide experience in delivering major infrastructure projects, especially in large-scale nuclear or complex energy ventures and to reinforce Sizewell C in areas such as project risk management and cost control. Private investors are also expected to bring substantial benefits to justify their involvement. Sizewell C is a key element in the government’s strategy for bolstering UK energy security and achieving net zero targets,and could cost up to £30 billion. So far the government has spent around £1.2 billion in developing plans.
Law firm assists on sale of design services firm to tech investor
Law firm Birketts has assisted Boskalis/Gardline in the sale of Gt Yarmouth-based C.A. Design Services to technology investor, Tern Capital. C.A. Design Services also has offices in Leeds, Wolverhampton, and Edinburgh and specializes in retail space planning, space planning software, site surveys, architectural and branding design, and retail delivery services. This deal marks the final divestment of a non-core asset from the Gardline group, allowing it to concentrate on its core subsea surveillance business. Guy Moates and Aaron Wright, along with the existing management team, will continue to lead C.A. Design Services. Birketts corporate partner Ed Savory, who led the team, said: “Under the guidance of Tern Capital, C.A. Design Services will continue to build on its leading position in the market, and we wish Guy, Adam and the team the best of luck for the future.”
Housebuilder gifts open public space to town council
Housebuilder Bennett Homes has gifted 13 acres of open public space to Watton Town Council in Norfolk together with a financial contribution towards regular maintenance. The land is part of the company’s latest development at Heritage Park (photo, right) which is set in parkland and comprises a range of two, three and four bedroom bungalows, chalet bungalows and houses. Edward Parker, managing director at Bennett Homes, said: “We are delighted to have gifted 13 acres to the local Town Council for the new community to enjoy. Heritage Park is very attractive setting, with space to enjoy rural living in this peaceful setting, as well as choose from a selection of house-styles. In addition to the excellent facilities on the doorstep in Watton, it’s conveniently situated for other towns, cities and areas of natural beauty for outdoor leisure activities.”
Festival of Architecture Norwich & Norfolk returns
The Festival of Architecture Norwich and Norfolk (FANN) is making a comeback after a break over the pandemic, marking its seventh year with a ‘reflection’ theme. Organized by RIBA Norfolk volunteers, FANN celebrates the architectural heritage of Norwich and Norfolk. From October 10-19th, it will feature talks, tours, exhibitions, and a photography competition. Supported by RIBA East, an architectural exhibition will showcase upcoming projects at The Forum in Norwich. Charlotte Dunne, chair of RIBA Norfolk, said: “It’s so great to be shouting about Norfolk’s architectural scene again after nearly four years of being away. We normally host the festival every two years, but because of Covid, we have had to wait until this year to get it back on the map. Event details can be seen here.
Photo: Charlotte Dunne(left) chair of RIBA Norfolk and Jerene Irwin, past chair
Norwich-based logistics company joins ‘children’s convoy’
A truck from Norwich-based distribution company Fitzmaurice Carriers recently took part in the 36th East Coast Truckers Children’s Convoy, providing disabled and disadvantaged children a memorable ride in a truck cab. The event started at the former Colman’s factory, Norwich, and travelled along the Norfolk coast to Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park in Lowestoft. “Being able to provide young children with the opportunity to experience something they will remember for the rest of their lives is an honour” said Paul Gare, depot manager at Fitzmaurice Carriers. The convoy, organized by The East Coast Truckers charity, grants respite holidays for families with special needs children along the Norfolk coast and featured nearly 100 trucks this year. Fitzmaurice Carriers, a local logistics leader since 1919, delivers a wide range of goods for a variety of businesses, including restaurants, wholesalers, garden centres, cash & carriers, schools and garages.
